Petworth Society Talk

16 JANUARY 2026

7.30pm – 9.30pm

A Town Stunned – Petworth 1939 – 1952

Miles Costello will present a fully illustrated talk on Petworth during a time of significant national changes and events, and how these impacted and were reflected in a small country town.

The talk will look at Petworth from the arrival of the first London evacuees in 1939 to the opening of Petworth House to the public. The talk, accompanied by photographs of the time, will include, among other topics, rationing the home guard, the tragedy of Petworth Boys School, and the demolition of the spire on St. Mary’s Church.